Road Tested: Energy Bars

Energy bars made with ingredients you actually recognize.

Published

March 30, 2010

Kind Fruit + Nut BarWHAT IT IS Made with dried fruit, whole nuts, and honey, this line of bars (with nine flavors) contains 150 to 230 calories.VERDICT Testers thought the bars were "fresh and naturally sweet tasting," as well as "light enough to eat before a run." kindsnacks.com

ProBar Fruition BarWHAT IT IS Each 160-calorie bar (with two grams of fat) has a base of dates, oats, chia seeds, and nuts, and then adds fruits like strawberries or blueberries.VERDICT Runners enjoyed the moist, fruity flavor. "It melts in your mouth," said one reviewer. theprobar.com

Olympic Granola BarWHAT IT IS These dense, 380-calorie bars (made with an oat, honey, and nut mix) feature unique flavors, such as espresso almond chocolate and lemon chamomile.VERDICT Testers described it as "rich and satisfying," and "hearty enough for a postrun meal." olympicgranola.com

Bear Naked Grain-ola BarWHAT IT IS Packed with whole grains and fruits like papaya and cherry, each thinly pressed bar has 220 to 240 calories.VERDICT Runners liked this bar's chewy texture. One person said, "It was filling enough to hold me over during a tough lunchtime run." bearnaked.com